If you’ve been looking for a single tool to slot into your skincare routine and actually feel a difference, the gua sha is worth getting to know. Whether you’re brand new to the practice or you’ve heard about it but never quite worked out how to use one properly, this is your easy step-by-step guide to gua sha and the products to pair it with.
What Is A Gua Sha?
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, the gua sha has been nicknamed ‘the Botox of the Far East’ thanks to its firming and brightening effects. The classic shape is a small, heart-shaped stone (most often jade or rose quartz) designed to glide across the face during a short massage routine. It’s a calming, low-tech tool that doubles as a wellness moment as much as a beauty one.
The Benefits Of Using A Gua Sha
Used regularly, a gua sha can help boost circulation, ease tension held in the jaw and brow, encourage lymphatic drainage and give the skin a noticeable post-massage glow. The smooth, gliding motion can also help your serums and oils sink in better. On top of that, the slow, repetitive movement is genuinely relaxing, which makes it a lovely way to wind down at the end of the day.
Our favourite: Seasonly Gua Sha Quartz
How To Use A Gua Sha (Step By Step)
Before you start, always prep the skin with a serum, oil or moisturiser. A gua sha needs slip to glide properly, and going in dry can drag and irritate the skin. Pop your gua sha in the fridge beforehand if you want a cooling, de-puffing effect.
Step 1: Back of the neck. Using the upper edge (the top of the heart shape), sweep the gua sha up the back of the neck from the shoulders towards the hairline using firm pressure. When you reach the hairline, hold and press into any areas that feel tight. Repeat a few times.
Step 2: Side of the neck. With the curved inner edge, sweep upwards from the collarbone towards the jawline. When you reach the jaw, hold and press in short, deliberate motions. Repeat on the opposite side.
Step 3: Throat and decolletage. Using the upper edge with light pressure, start between the collarbones and sweep up the throat, following the curve of the neck up towards the jawline.
Step 4: Jawline. With the tool held on its side, use the top of the heart shape to sweep along the jawline from chin to ear. Repeat on the opposite side.
Step 5: Cheeks. Use the longest edge to sweep along the cheekbones. Start beside the nose and just above the mouth, then glide the tool up and out towards the hairline, following the contour of the cheekbone. Repeat on the opposite side.
Step 6: Under-eye. Use the long curve of the heart shape with very light pressure. Place the tool flat against the inner corner of the eye and sweep outwards towards the temple. Repeat on the opposite side.
Step 7: Brow bone. Sandwich the brow with the two curves of the gua sha (smaller curve under the brow, longer curve above) and sweep outwards towards the hairline. Keep the pressure gentle.
Step 8: Forehead. Using the longest edge, sweep the gua sha upwards from just above the brows towards the hairline. Work across one side of the forehead, then the other.
Skincare To Pair With Your Gua Sha
Your gua sha will only work as well as the product underneath it. Pick a serum, oil or moisturiser with enough slip to let the tool glide, and your routine becomes a proper at-home facial. A few of our favourites to reach for:
Beauty Of Joseon Dynasty Cream
A rich, nourishing K-beauty moisturiser with the cushiony texture you want for gua sha glide. Massage in with a few sweeping strokes and you’ll feel it sink in evenly across the cheeks and jaw.
By BEAUTY BAY 5% Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid + Polyglutamic Acid Overnight Balm
A hydrating overnight balm that doubles as the perfect base for an evening gua sha massage. The squalane adds plenty of slip, and the hyaluronic acid keeps the skin plump while you work.
Beauty Of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
Lightweight, cooling and ideal for warmer mornings when a heavy cream feels like too much. A great option if you want to gua sha pre-makeup without anything sitting on top of the skin.
